Method of and apparatus for converting hydrocarbons



4 Sheets-Sheet l July 21, 1953 E. J.'HoUDRY METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FORcoNvERTING HYDRocARBoNs Filed Oct. 25, 1947 E. JHOUDRY July 2l, 1953METHOD OF' AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HYDROCARBONS Filed Oct. 25, 19474 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 21, 1953 E. J. HouDRY 2,646,391

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HYDROCARBONS l Filed Oct. 25,v1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VEN TOR. Eugene :[Hozzaz/ E. J. HOUDRY July 2l,1953 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HYDROCARBONS Filed Oct. 25,1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Eugne 'Y Patented Jul-y 21,1953

UNITED` .sT/AT Es PATENT lorFicE l Y METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FonooNvER'riNG HrnisooARoNsl .Eugene Jules -Houdry, Ardmore, Pa., Vassignor.to Houdry Process Corporation, iWilmington, Del., acorporation ofDelaware VApplication october'zs, 1947, serial No. 782,165

14 Claims;

My invention relates to a method of "and I apparatus for convertinghydrocarbon material. My invention, from one of its important as-`pects, relates to a hydrocarbon conversion arrangementV comprising aplurality ofv -annular Contact masses supported within a housing orvterior surface of the housing -or Ycasing to defnean annular chamber. As`the conversion operation proceeds,frelatively cool hydrocarbonandthroug'h the chamber vwhich extends axially.

Yor longitudinally thereof.

ceeds, hydrocarbon material having temperature substantially lower 'thanthat'of the converted products is passed into said chamber, which servesas `a Vmixing zone, to produce .a vapor mixture :having an intermediatetemperature. Preferably, although not necessarily, thevaforesaidfhydrocarbon material is at least l.partly in v theliquidaphase andy this, .in accordance with the invention, isfdirectedinto said chamber or '.zone

, as an atomized mixture.

vapors pass through one annular chamber and Vthen, while the temperaturethereof rises to substantial extent, flow transversely through theadjacent contact l mass to form hot converted products. In accordancewith the invention, these hot products, priorV to passageV thereofthrough the succeeding annular chamber, Yare cooled so thatthetemperature thereof is .substantially below that temperature which,during the on-stream period, the succeeding v.contact mass tends toimpart to the adjacent ..housingv portion. Accordingly, it is a featureof .the invention that these cooled products pass through the zannularchamber last named to. effectively and continuously prevent the heat ofthe adjacent contact mass from'raising the temperature ofthe. housingportion last named vrto any substantial extent above that Vof saidcooled products. Y Y

lFrom ay somewhatbroader aspect, my 'inven-V tion relates to ahydrocarbon conversion ar- .My invention :relates further ytostructuralv fea-- turesembodied. in a supporting arrangement for anannular contact '.mass, to improvedk arrangements which promote uniform`flow of vapors through such a contactzmass at diiferent levels and'rtoother detailed features of the character hereinafter described.

`Variousfother objects .and features ofmy invention will vbecome.apparent from the following `detailed description.

My .invention "resi-des :iin 'the method'aof :and: `apparatus forconverting hydrocarbons,

nnproved cooling andheat-transfer features, oombinations and.arrangements of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For. van understanding of my invention and for an illustration of someofthe forms thereof,

lreference is to be had .to the accompanying drawingsin which:

Fig. lis a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showingaconverter or reactor as constructed inraccordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional-elevational view showing the lowerportion of the apparatus illustrated'in Fig. 1 I y 'Figs. 3 and 4 arehorizontal sectional views,

partlyv Vin plan, taken on therespective lines Y 'sf-3 and 4 4 of Fig.2;

' rangement wherein hot convertedproducts passV from a contact'masshaving suitable congurag tion, not necessarily annular, and comprisingcatalytic or inert contact material either solely or in admixture witheach other.' Howeverg'it is characteristic of this broader concept ofthe invention that the hot converted products last named are cooled insuitable manner as and for the purpose stated prior to passagev thereofthrough an annular chamber and an annular contact mass. of the characterdescribed above.

My invention, from another important aspect,

relates to the passage `of Vhydrocarbon vapors through anannular'contact mass, and theninto i 5 is an enlarged elevational view,partly in'. section, showing an arrangement for .pro-

. moting uniformity of vapor distribution through a Contact mass;y l

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational-sectional view showing a modifiedvapor-distributing arrangement;

i Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation,showing a detailed feature of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line9-'9 of Fig. 8;

.Fig ..10 is a vertical sectional view, partly in' elevation, takenAonthe 'line vlil-I() of Fig. 3;

As'this operation pro- Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional View, partly inelevation, showing a converter or reactor wherein hydrocarbon materialflows in reverse direction compared with the direction now indicated inFig. 1; y

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional-elevational view showing the lowerportion-of the apparatus illustrated n'Fig. 11; l

Figs. 13 and 14 are horizontal sectional views, partly in plan, taken onthe respective lines IS-Ii and Iii-I4 of Fig. 12;

Fig. l5 is an enlarged sectional-elevational View illustrating adetailed feature of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 16 is an elevational View, partly broken away, showing concurrentoperation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, C represents acasing, housing or shell which,preferably, is circular in horizontal section. Preferably, the casing Cis disposed in vertical upstanding relation and the casing height shouldbe substantially greater than the casing diameter. As shown in Fig. 1,the top and bottom walls of the casing C comprise the respectivepassages I and 2. In accordance with the invention, a plurality ofseparate contact masses M are supported interiorly of the casing C insuitable spaced relation, each Contact mass being formed from suitablecontact material A of the character hereinafter described. When thecontact material is of the catalytic type and, if it does not havesufficient density and heat-absorbing capacity to retain the requisiteamount of heat to support the desired hydrocarbon conversion operation,it may have mingled therewithl a suitable amount of l inert contactmaterial having the required heatabsorbing capacity. Fused alumina issuitable for this purpose as is fused refractory material containingabout 70% alumina and the remainder largely silica. The proportion ofcatalytic contact material to inert Contact material may range from 1:4to 3:1 or otherwise as may be desirable.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the lower interior wallsurface of the casing C is shown as carrying an annular member orsupport 3 utilizable for supporting the lower contact mass M and which,preferably, comprises a plurality of spaced, depending ribs 3a adaptedto reinforce said annular support 3. Resting upon the upper surface ofthe support 3 and freely detachable therefrom is a circular bottom platewhich comprises a central circular aperture 4a. The plate d may furthercomprise a pair of transversely alined passages ib which normally areclosed by the respective members 5, each of which is slidable in asuitable track or guide arrangement 6 carried by the lower surface `ofsaidV plate 4.

Inner and outer tubular members 'I and 8 upstand from the plate e' invertical concentric relation, the upper surface of the outer tubularmember 8 terminating at a level somewhat higher than that of the innertubular member 1, Fig. 2. The inner surface of the tubular member I maycoincide with the surface of the plate 4 which defines the aperture 4aand the exterior surface of the tubular member 8 may coincide with theexterior surface of said plate 4, Fig. 2, the arrangement being suchthat the tubular member 8 is suitably spaced from the interior wallsurface of the casing C for a purpose hereinafter to be described. Thesetubular members are welded or otherwise suitably secured to said 4 platel and each of them, throughout the area thereof, comprise numerous smallpassages 9 which may be arranged in horizontal rows, as shown in Figs. 1and 2, in uniform spaced relation with respect to each other. Disposedin flush engagement with the outer surface of the tubular member 'I andthe inner surface of the tubular member 8 are the respective screens Il)and II, these parts being spot-welded or otherwise suitably securedtogether. Ordinarily, the diameter of the passages .f5 in the tubularmembers I and 8 is such that the described contact material may passtherethrough but this is prevented by the screens IB and I I which havemesh dimensions suitably small for this purpose.

As clearly appears in view of the foregoing, the tubular members I and 8define an annular chamber for the reception of the Contact materialforming the lower contact mass M, the

vtubular member serving as the outer peripheral support for said contactmass. Further, the tubular member 'l denes an open chamber which servesas a mixing zone in the manner hereinafter described.

As shown in Figs. l, 2 and 4, a plurality of uniformly spaced webs orribs I2 upstand from the aforesaid bottom plate A in radial relationwith respect thereto. rlhese webs I2 are welded or otherwise suitablysecured to the upper surface of said plate l as well as to the tubularmembers Sand they stiffen the bottom plate 4 so as to render it capableof supporting the weight imposed thereon by the lower contact mass M.Obviously, in lieu of the annular support 3, the bottom plate i and thewebs I2, any other suitable arrangement may be provided for supportingthe contact mass last named.

In accordance with a detailed feature of the invention and for a purposehereinafter to be described, the aforesaid annular support 3 maycomprise a plurality of spaced 4slots or passages 3b, Figs. 8 and 9.Each slot 3b communicates with a depending housing cr box I3 secured tothe lower surface of the support 3 and the adjacent interior surface ofthe casing C, each housing I3 comprising a lower outlet passage normallyclosed by a detachable plug I.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a plurality of Webs or ribs I5 are shownas extending radially with respect to the casing C, these webs beingwelded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper ends of the tubularmembers 'I and 8. Suitably secured, as by welded joints, to the webs I5are inner and outer, concentrically related channel members I6 and I'Iwhich are disposed in a common horizontal plane. suitably secured, as bybolts I3, Fig. 2, to the lower horizontal portion ofthe channel memberI6 is a dished mem- `ber I9 having a centrally disposed drain pipe 2Q ofsmall diameter depending therefrom and nel members IG and I'I support aplurality of arcuate plates 22 which entirely close the space defined bysaid channel members I5 and I'I. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, bolts 2s maybe utilized for detachably securing the plates 22 to said channelmembers IS and I'I. Adjacent and high temperatures.v

amener Y ends `Vof. the plates 2.2 ,engageA each yother in vabuttingrelation and, as shown .in Fig.i10, a

plate 23a may be disposed beneath the .end'portions of each pairv ofsaid plates landfbetween the channel members I6, I1. Eachplate 23ashould be detachably secured to the Aplate end portions with which is4cooperates by one ormore bolts v2322'.

In Vview of the foregoing descriptiongit will f be understood that,except for vthe small drain pipe 20, the cover arrangementcomprising-the channel members rI6 and I1, dished member I9 and plates22 entirely closes the top of the chamber dened by the outer tubularmember 8, this chamber containing the lower-contact Vmass M and theinner tubular member 1. It will'also be understood that theannularmember 3 together with all of the Yparts supportedv thereby are formedpreferably from metallic :materials such as steelrwhich is suitably`'resistant to vstresses As clearly appears from 1, the casing'lCcarries a plurality of the annular supports 3 non femme-top wan thereofand fir-manhole 52e inthe ybottomfwall thereof.

rAs Shown in Fig. 1,'az1pipe orf'conduit', which may be supported .asatY 28, .extends 'into each of the casingchambers c3. .'Iheinner'end ofeach pipe :121 is upturned `and vterminates .in a suitable nozzle .oratomizer 29 nwhich should open upwardlythrough'the aperture '4c of 'theadjacent .plate- 4 preferably, `but not' necessarily1inv coincidencewith the .longitudinal axis of thattubular member 1. which is `disposedthereabove. As indicated, allfof the pipes 21 may be connected toacommonsupply pipe30;

which are disposed atfdifferent respectivelevels,

the distance between each pair of adjacent supports progressivelydecreasing, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. v1, ina directionextending upwardly from the bottom of the casing. Each annular support3, above ther lower one, detachably carries an assembly of parts which,except dimensionally and ,in r,one minor respect regarding the bottomkplate 4 .as Vnoted below, Y

Y masses and, preferably, the chambers lastnamecl` are dimensionally thesame. `Still further, as stated, the exterior `diameter of each tubularmember 8, the outer peripheral support for each contact mass M, issuitably less-than the interior diameter of the casing C so that eachtubular member together with the adjacent casing vsurface denes anannular chamber c4 utilizable as hereinafter described. -Each chamberc4ris open at its top as defined by the periphery of a channel member I1and each of said chambers c4 is closed at its bottom by yanannularsupport 3.V Hence these chambers fc4 extend Vin contiguousrelation throughout substantially thefentireheight of the casing C.AAsshown in Figs. 1 and 3, the casing C .is constructed to vprovide amanhole 24 whichppens into each of the chambers c3.

It was hereinbefore stated that the .bottomv plate 4 for supporting thelower contactmass M comprises a pair vof transversely alined'passages4b. As shown inFigs. 1 and 4, 'thesepassages are disposed relativelyclose to the central plate aperture 4a. The bottom plate4 forsupportingeach 'of the upper contactgmasses comprisesV a similar pair oftransversely alined passages '4b but, as regards each of these upperplates, Vthe passages 4b thereof are disposed relatively close to theplate periphery, Fig. 1. Preferably, although not necessarily, theaforesaid plate passages 4b are-disposed in a common vertical plane.Furthen-thecasing C should comprise'a many JPreferably, `andas-,hereinafter specifically dei scribed, the casing'C defines ay zonewherein hydrocarbon material is' subjected to a ycracking operation and,if so, the contact material Ais-'of catalytic character.V Anyfsuitablekind of catalytic contact material may lthu's be vutilizedsuch,

for. example, as activatedfclaypellets or synthetic silica-aluminapellets .or beads, etc., Vhavingsuitable major dimensions such asbetween-l-s'and .3A of arr-inch. Other suitable catalysts for cracking includesynthetic plural oxide composites, silicious or non-silicious incharacter and containingfor example, zirconia, 'alumina or beryllia.VThe following description is directed specifically Ato ia crackingoperation but`,.in lieuthereof, it shall be lunderstood that Vtheapparatus of my'invention maybe utilized for eiecting other types ofcon-- version VVoperations such, for example, as one wherein suitablehydrocarbon Amaterial `is desulphuri-zed` under known conditions rwithcata.- lytic contact 'material of 'the .general character referred'toabove, or equivalent. Or, reforming or dehydrogenation of naphthas orother normally liquid hydrocarbons maybe effected in .the presence ofthe abovefor other desired type of catalyst, certain of which are knowninthe art.

A reactor or converter of the character herein described is adapted tobe operated cyclically in the sense that the contact masses M arealternately ori-,stream andin regeneration. As disclosed ,in my pendingapplication Serial No..

Y505,109, filed October 6, 19143, now abandoned, the contact masses Mmay be'rregenerated by Y burning previouslydeposited carbonaceousmaterial therefrom to store heat in the contact material and elevate thetemperature thereof into a suitablehydrocarbon cracking range such, forexample,V as between approximately .800 F. and '12506 F. In thisconnection, it should be noted that'regeneration of a bed of contactmaterial Y as described above usually causes `the ybed temperature tohave maximum value at some location within thebed. At other locations,the 'bed tem- 4 perature is lower and, as regards-the lcontact materialimmediately adjacent the tubular member v8 of each contact mass M, thetemperature thereof ymaybe of the order of 900 1F, to 1100" F. at'thestart of each period of on-stream operation. After `completion lofregeneration, anonstream operation maybe effected as follows.

AIn accordance with Ythe general ldisclosure of my pending applicationSerial No. 694,327, led

August 31, 1946, nowfPatent No. 2,507,523, hydrocarbon vapors to becracked may be obtained Vfrom a -fractionating zone. After thetemperatureY thereof has been elevated into a suitable range such, forexample, as from 800 F. to.900 F, and preferably approximately 850 F.,they are admitted continuously to the casing C .by way of the passage I.Obviously, hydrocarbon vapors to be cracked and having temperature asstated may be obtained Afrom any other suitable source Vfor Y thevpurpose stated. 1

Further in accordance with the general disclosure of my aforesaidapplication Serial No. 694,327, hydrocarbon cracking material from anysuitable source such, for examp1e, as from the bottom of the aforesaidfractionating zone is passed. through the pipe 30 and then through thepipes 21. The hydrocarbon material last named may be totally in thevapor phase but, preferably, it is substantially totally liquid or atleastpartly in the liquid phase and the following description isdirected to hydrocarbon material having this phase condition. Thetemperature of the-hydrocarbon material traversing the pipes 21 shouldbe substantially lower than that of the hereinafter described crackedproducts issuing from the contact masses M into the respective mixingzones described below, the temperature of such cracked products being,forexample, from 50 F. to 150 F, higher than that of the vapor materialentering the respective contact masses. Thus, the hydrocarbon materialtraversing said pipes 2l may be, for example, 75 F. to 125 F. lower thansaid cracked products or, if desired, the temperature thereof may be inthe approximate range of 300 F. to 500 F.

After admission to the casing C by way of the passage i, the vaporsenter the chamber c! and thereafter are deflected by the upper coverarrangement comprising the channel members H3 and il, dished member i9and plates 22 so that said vapors flow downwardly through the upperchamber cd and are prevented from escaping from the bottom thereof bythe upper annular member 3. Thereafter, the vapors pass through thepassages S of the adjacent outer tubular member 8, then transverselythrough the contact material forming the upper contact mass M, thenthrough the passages 9 of the adjacent, inner tubular member l' andfinally into and downwardly through the mixing zone defined by saidtubular member l', the vapors being cracked in response to passagethereof through said last named contact mass and the temperature thereofbeing elevated to substantial extent toward that of said contact mass toproduce cracked vaporphase products having temperature as they leave theexit end of the Contact mass ranging, for example, between 850 F, and1050 F.

As the operation proceeds, hydrocarbon cracking material of thecharacter hereinbefore described, while at least partly in the liquidphase, passes continuously through the upper pipe 2l, the upper nozzle2S and then upwardly within the aforesaid mixing Zone in counter-currentrelation as regards the descending cracked vaporphase products from theupper contact mass 'VL By reason of the fact that, as stated, thetemperature of the ascending hydrocarbon cracking material, which is indesired atomized condition, is substantially lower than that of thedescending cracked products, exchange of heat occurs with resultantproduction of a downwardly moving vaporized mixture having temperaturepreferably in a range between 800 F. and 900 F. This vaporized mixture,during continued downward movement thereof, passes into the upperchamber c3 and thereafter is deflected by the upper cover arrangement ofthe succeeding contact mass M directly beneath the upper contact mass Mso as to flow downwardly into the chamber c4 at the periphery thereof.

Thereafter, as regards each succeeding contact mass, the operationproceeds in the manner described above with respect to the upper contactmass M. Eventually, the cracked vapors leave the casing C by way of thepassage 2 and pass to any suitable destination, not shown,

When hydrocarbon material, at least partly in the liquid phase, isadmitted to the respective mixing zones defined by the tubular membersl, the operation should be conducted under conditions such thatvaporization of such liquid phase material occurs substantially in acomplete manner while in the aforesaid mixing zones or in the respectivechambers c3 disposed therebelow.

yHowever, should small amounts of unvaporized material be present, therespective pipes 20 conduct such unvaporized material into the lowermixing zones. As will be understood, the aforesaid conditions involvethe magnitude of the heat which is exchanged, the duration of theheat-exchange periods, character of the liquid hydrocarbon materialtraversing the pipes 27 as regards boiling range, etc.

During the described regenerating operation and as described in myaforesaid application Serial No. 505,109, now abandoned, the heat storedin the contact masses is in'excess of that required for reactionpurposes as regards the hydrocarbon material during passage thereofthrough said Contact masses. As hereinbefore stated, the temperature ofthe contact masses M, during regeneration, may be elevated into a rangesuch, for example, as between approximately 800 F. and 1250 F. n thisconnection and as stated, regeneration of a contact mass usually causesthe contact mass to have maximum temperature atv some location withinthe mass. However, at other locations, the contact mass ternperature issubstantially lower than the maximum value stated above and this, Vofcourse, holds true as regards the average contact mass temperature.

The temperature and quantity of the vapors admitted to the casing C byway of the passage l, Fig. 1, should be such, compared with the averagetemperature of the upper contact mass, Fig. l, that these vapors, duringeach on-stream period, remove approximately all of the stored heat kofregeneration therefrom, this including the excess heat hereinafterreferred to. In this manner, the contact mass M last named is maintainedin thermal balance during successive, alternating regeneration andon-stream periods.

During the on-stream period, the respective heat-exchange operationswhich are conducted in the mixing zones defined by the respectivetubular members 'l of the upper three contact masses, Fig, l, cool therespective streams of cracked products which are issuing therefrom tosubstantial extent and produce, respectively, lower temperaturevaporized mixtures which remove approximately all of the stored heat ofregeneration (including the excess heat) from the respective three lowercontact masses M, Fig. l. By

adjusting the quantity and/ or temperature of the hydrocarbon materialtraversing the pipes 2l, de-

sired quantities of this excess heat may be withdrawn from the contactmasses last named in order to maintain them in thermal balance duringcontinuance of successive on-stream and regeneration periods.

The operation referred to above is characterized by temperatureundulation of the reactants as they pass along their intended paththrough the casing C. lfrhus, the temperature of the vapors admitted tosaid casing C by way of the passage l is elevated as they pass throughthe upper contact mass M. The temperature of the vaporized mixtureproduced in the upper mixing zone-is. lower thanxtheaveragetemperatureof the succeeding contact mass 'andthis vaporized mix-Y turehasits temperaturel elevated during passage thereof through the contactmass last named.

Accordingly, as the operation proceeds, the temperatureof the reactantsundulates` in the sense that it fallswhile said reactants pass throughthe mixing Zones andY rises while they traverse the contact masses. Y Y

At the end ofthe on-stream period referred V: to above, the temperatureofv the contactmasses has been reduced to a desired lower level.YThereferred to above should'be so located in the re.-v

spective tubular members that,. in the resulting assembly, the passages9 and 9a are alined in pairs with. each pair having a common longiafter,the Contact 'massesv are regenerated in known manner in'response totliepassagetherethrough of lairor other regeneratingwmedium havingsuitable temperature with resultant com'- bustion` of carbonaceousmaterialwvhich was deposited on the contact material during the onstreamoperation and'eleivation in temperature of said contact material into avrange'as'hereinbefore described which issuitableforeffectingthesucce'e'ding` on-stream period. During the regeneration` operation,the regeneration medium may pass in either direction throughthe casing Cby' Way of the passagesi. and 2 orotherwise-as may be desirable.

It was hereinbefore stated that hydrocarbon vapors from each chamber. c4flow horizontally'in succession through thepassages 9 of the adjacent'outer tubular member 8, through thel adjacent contact mass andi thenthrough the passages Q' of the. adjacentY inner tubular member As willbe underst'oodthe vapors, in orderto obtain enicient conversion thereof;should" be distributed substantially. uniformly as they traverse eachcontact masser,` in other Words, each passage t,

l tudinal axis.

As will be understood in view of the foregoing, the tubular members laanda together with the passages 9b thereof effectively control flowofthehydrocarbon vapors so as to. obtain substantially uniformdistribution thereof throughout the vertical height of each contactmassM..

A In. lieufof the 'vapor-distributing arrangement described above, inayutilize, ifi desired, anar-- vrangement. ofthe character. illustrated inFig.. 7

which. indicates thatV each passage Si` ofA all ther tubular members 8.has a bushingfab disposed therein, a` driving-.fitoperation preferablybeing. utilizedin order. toretainA the bushings 8b in seat.- ed positionandeach bushing 3h comprising Va central passage 3b extendingv entirelytherethrough. Itwill beunderstood that each. pas- 'sagef of the. inner.tubular members. l. may have associated therewith a. b-ushing ofthecharacter described above and',`if s0,..all of the bushing passagesfunction the same as the above de-l scribed passages Qa in order toobtain desiredv distribution of. vapors traversing any contact mass yDuring the regeneration operation, when a regenerating medium`i`s-passed throughl the casing C, it will be-unders'tood that thearrangements of either Figs. 5 and6 or Fig. 7l function effectively topromote uniform distributionA of such mediregardless of its location,should be traversed by substantially the same quantity of vapors perunit of ltime as any other. passage.y The `described tubular members lnecessarily have substantial thickness inordert'c bear the load imposedthereon without substantial deformation and, from the f manufacturingviewpoint, it is desirable for the passages 9 for each tubular member tobe produced by a punching operation. 'With procedure of this character,the diameter of each passage 9, ordinarily, may not be less than` thethickness of the plate in which said passages are formed.

The passages Q, then, may have such large diameter that vapor flowthrough the contact masses isv more 'or lessncnuniform, thisconditionarisingby'r'eason of the fact that theupper passages s' are traversed byan unduly large proporticnlof the vapors compared With the proportionthereof traversing the lower passages' 9. Y

VA` conditionvv such as described' immediately above may beravoided tosubstantial extent by utilizing an arrangement of the lcharacter illus-ltrated 'in Figs. aand 6 wherein, if desired, one or both of the tubularmembers la' and 8a, may be disposed, respectively, Y.intericrly ofthetubular member and exteriorly of the tubular member 8', theV respectivesets of these members being spot-welded or otherwise suitablysecuredtogether in flush engagement andthe thickness of eachv tubularmemberct and 8a being substantially less than'that of either tubularmember l' or 8. `By a punchingoperation, passages 9a may beforrned inthe plates from which the tubular members 'la and 8a are produced and,since the diameter Vof each passage a is dependent on the thickness ofsaidplates, such diameter of each passage 9a Ymay .be substantially lessthan the diameter. ofi each passage 9'.. ;As.-,is.clearly shownV inFigs. 5 and 6a1lof the passagesre` um during passage thereof throughthecontact masses M. y ,f n

kAsregards the form of my invention previously.

described, the hydrocarbon'vapors pass from `the top of the casing C tothe bottomthereof and, in so` doing, traverse the Ycontact masses M insuccession. However, theinventon is not' to be so limitedsincethedirection ofthe vapors mayv be. the .reverse of that describedimmediately Thus,.reierringY to Figs. 11E-1 4- inc. I have shown acasing C corresponding with the casing C hereinbefore. described andadaptedl to. serve as a shell or. housing for a plurality of. contactmasses M. As illustrated particularly in Figs. ll, 12 and 174, thecontact material forming the lower con A tact mass M` restsupon vaIcircular bottom, plate 3'2 which iswelded or otherwise suitably securedto thelower surfaces of vconcentric tubular members T and 8, the latterbeing of the character hereinbefore described.y As clearly appears, theplate 32 closesthe bottom of the chamber dened by the outertubular'member 8 andprevents upward passage of vapors through. any partthereof. This platev 32 should` comprise a central restricted passage,not shown, which has theY same function asthehereinbefore describeddrain Vpipes 20. vThe same as hereinbefore described' with respect tothebottom plate', stiff'ening Webs or ribs. I2 upstand from` and Y aresecured to the platev 32, and also tothe tubular members 1, 8i Ifdesired;V a pair of additional stiiening webs or ribs 33 related, toAeach other shown in Figs. 1l, 12 and 14 are of the same character asthose previously described with respect to Figs. 1 4 inc. Likewise,screens 1B and H as hereinbefore described should be associated with.the respective tubular members 1 and 8 of Figs. 1l, 12, 14 and, inaddition, the passages 9 of said last named tubular members may haveassociated therewith vapor-distributing arrangements of the characterYillustrated either in Figs. 5, 6 or Fig. '1.

In Figs. l and 2, a plate 2| is shown as closing the upper end of themixing zone defined by the lower tubular member 1. However, in Figs. 1land 12, this arrangement is different in the sense that the plate 2l isreplaced by a plate 34 which defines a large central passage. Supportedby the plate 34 and suitably secured to the upper surface thereof is aring 35 comprising an inwardly opening expansion slot 35a, the passagedened b-y the ring 35 being alined with the aforesaid plate passage. Thering 35 permits relative movement of the parts arising from temperaturedifference between the associated tubular members 1 and 8.

A plurality of webs or ribs I5 of the character hereinbefore describedare shown as extending radially with respect to the casing C', thesewebs i5 being welded or otherwise suitably Vsecured to the tubularmember 8 and to the aforesaid ring 35, Fig. 12. The websV l5 of Figs.11, 12 and 13 have suitably secured thereto inner and outer,concentrically related channel members l and l1 of the characterhereinbefore described. suitably secured, as by bolts 36, to the lowervhorizontal portion of the channel member It is a dished member 31 havinga large central passage 31a vertically alined with the respectivepassages of the ring 35 and of the plate 341, Fig. 12, the member 31also being suitably secured to the associated web i5. Further, in the`same manner as described with respect to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the uppersurfaces of the respective channel members i6 and I1 of Figs. 11 and 12detachably support a plurality of arcuate plates 22.

The described assembly of parts for the lower contact mass M of Figs.ll-l4 ino. may be supported in any suitable manner. As herein shown,although not necessarily, the inner surface of the casing C has weldedor otherwise suitably4 secured thereto a plurality of Aspaced brackets33, the upper surfaces of which are disposed in a horizontal plane.Secured in suitable manner to the exterior surface of the tubular member8, Figs. 11 and 15, are a plurality of similar spaced brackets 39 whichengage the respective brackets 38 in detachable supporting relation.Thus, in the manner described, the lower contact mass M is supported inoperative position as shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Referring to Figs. 1l and 15, an annular member Li is shown as welded insealing relation to the inner surface of the casing C and to aperipheral surface of the outer channel member I1, said member 40 beingutilizable as hereinafter described.

As clearly appears from Fig. 1l, the casing C carries a plurality of thehereinbefore described sets of spaced brackets 38, thedistance betweenadjacent sets of said brackets progressively increasing, in the form ofthe invention shown in Fig. 11, in a direction extending upwardly fromthe bottom of the casing. Each set of brackets 38, above the lower set,detachably carries an assembly of parts which, except dimensionally, isa duplicate of the vassemblies hereinbefore described as carried by thelowery set of brackets 3S. Hence, further description of theseassemblies is considered unnecessary and, in view of the foregoing, itwill be understood that the heights of the respective contact massesshown in Fig. 11 progressively increase in an upward direction. Further,the relation is such that, interiorly of the casing C of Fig. 11 thereare chambers cl, c2, c3 and cil of the character hereinbefore described.Each of the chambers c4 is open at its bottom for the free admission ofa stream of vapors, Ho-weven each chamber c4 is closed at its top by anannular member El of the character described above.

As shown in Fig. il, a suitably supported pipe or conduit 4l extendsinto each casing chamber c3 where each pipe lil terminates in a suitablenozzle or atomizer 12 which should be directed downwardly preferably,but not necessarily, in coincidence with the longitudinal axis of thattubular member 1 which is disposed therebelow. As a result, atomizedliquid material is caused to traverse the path defined by the adjacentset of the hereinbefore described set of alined passages 31a, 35a, 34aand thereafter enter the adjacent mixing zone. As indicated, all of thepipes 4! may be connected to a common supply pipe 43.

The Contact masses M illustrated in Fig. l1 may be formed from catalyticcontact material of the character described above with respect toFig. 1. During operation of the reactor or converter shown in Fig. 1land after the contact masses have been regenerated to elevate`v thetemperature of the Contact material into a suitable cracking range, forexample, as hereinbefore described, hydrocarbon vapors are admittedcontinuously to the casing C by way of the passage 2. Simultaneously,hydrocarbon material, which preferably is at least partially in theliquid phase, is passed through the pipe 43 and then through the pipes4l. The hydrocarbon vapors and material referred to immediately aboveshould have temperature and should otherwise be of the characterhereinbefore described with respect t0 Fig. l.

Further, as regards Fig. 11, the hydrocarbon vapors, after admission tothe casing C by way of the passage 2, enter the chamber c2 andthereafter are deected by the bottom plate 32 0f the lower contact massM so that said vapors flow upwardly `through the lower chamber c@ andare prevented from escaping from the top thereof by the lower annularmember All. There after, in the manner previously described, thehydrocarbon vapors pass transversely through the lower Contact mass Mwith resultant production 0f cracked products which enter and passupwardly through the mixing zone defined by the lower tubular member 1,Fig. l1. As the foregoing operation proceeds, hydrocarbon crackingmaterial, as described above and while at least partly in the liquidphase, passes from the lower nozzle il?. continuously into the afore-Thereafter, as lwell be .obvious in view ofthe preceding descriptionrelating t() Fig'. 1, the operation proceeds with respect to the uppercontact masses M of Fig. 11 in the same manner y as describedimmediately above with respect to the lower contact mass Eventually, thecracked vaporsleave the casingf Cof Fig. 11 by way of the passage I andthereafter pass Vto any suitable destination, not shown.

Asregards the forms of my invention hereinbefore described, the atomizedliquid hydrocarbonmaterial, in each instancapasses through the variousmixing zones generally in countercurrent relation with respect to thecracked hy-V drocarbon vapors traversingsaid zones.

However, the invention is not to be thus limited. Thus, in Fig. 16, Ihave shown a reactor Aor converter of the character illustrated in Fig.11, these reactors or converters being duplicates with the exceptionthat the sets of pipes 4l and nozzles 42 are arranged to project theatomized liquid material upwardly through Vthe-'mixingv zones as shownin Fig. 16 rather thanl downwardly as illustrated in Fig. 11. Therefore,as regards Fig. 16, it will be understood that the atomized liquidmaterial and the cracked hydrocarbon vapors move through each mixing.vzone direct heat exchange with a cooler medium suchas water which passesthrough a conduit system suitably arranged in the mixing zone.

The advantages of lmy invention, in addition to those hereinbeforenoted, are numerous and of importance. Thus, as hereinbeforelstated, thevapors admitted to the casing C either by way'of the passage l, Fig. 1,or by wayY of the respective passages 2, Figs. 11 and'l, may havetemperature ranging from '800 F. to 900 F. and

preferably approximately 850" F., these vapors,

after admission, passing immediately into anV entrance chamber c4. Whenthe contact masses have `annular conguration as described, theheat-exchange operations conducted in the several mixing zones (eachofwhich is defined by a tubular member 1) substantiallyA lower theternperature of the respective vaporized mixturesl to produce cooledproducts which enter all of the chambers c4 with the exception of theentrance chamber c. Further, as described, the temperaturei'of thesevaporized mixtures or cooled products range, preferably, between 800 F.and 900 F. Accordingly, inv view of the foregoing, it foliows'that al1ofthe chambers c4 of each casing C are traversed by vapor materialhaving temperature ranging between 800J F. and 900 F. and, preferably,about 8509 F.'` As hereinbefore stated, the temperature, at the start ofeach on-stream period, of the contact material of each contact mass Mimmediately adjacent each tubular member 8 (the contact mass outerperipheral'support) ranges between 900F. and 1100" F. It follows,therefore, that the yaforesaid vapormaterial last' named, effectivelyprevents the heat of each contact mass from raisbers c4 were Atraversedby vapor material having s the temperature of the cracked products asthey emerge from each contact mass.

It was hereinbefore stated that the described Ori-stream operation ischaracterized by temperature undulation of the .reactants as ythey passalong their intended path through each casing C. Howeventhe vapormaterial entering each chambercf is substantially free from temperatureundulation even though during continuance of an on-streamoperation, thetemperature' of `such vapor material decreases Ato someextent.Accordingly, temperature undulation ofthe casings C occurs only to alimited extent and this, likewise, contributes to the life expectancythereof.

Again,'when vapors traverse a contact mass, the pressurel thereofnecessarily drops between the entrance and exit sides of Vsaid contactmass and, as known in the art, it is desirable for such pressure drop tobemaintained relatively low.

This is true particularly by reason of the .fact that more vflexibleon-streamoperation is attainablewhen the pressure drop is relatively lowand, duringregeneration, less energy is required to establish andmaintain flow of the regenerat- With ing medium through the contactmasses. annular contact masses of the character herein disclosed, thepressure drop -is proportional to the `thickness thereof, namely, thelength of a straight line extending horizontally from the interiorrsurface of a contact mass to the exterior thereof. For a given straightline distance (which establishes the pressure drop) the height ofanfannular contact mass may readily be selected in order to fulfillrequirements concerning the amount of contact material which mustnecessarily be present in order for the desired conversion to beeffected. Y v

Further, when a contact mass has configuration asstated, the crackedproducts Vconverge into the described mixing zone which extends alongthe longitudinal axis thereof. This is desirablefrom the vviewpoint ofefficiency as regards the heat-exchange operation which is conducted invthis zone in the manner referred to above.

As regards each form of my invention herein-y before described, all ofthe contact masses operate under the same conditions. Additionalreactants are introduced between each pair of adjacentlcontact massesand, in order to maintain substantially the same space velocity ofreactgants in each mass, it is desirable for the length of therespective contact masses to progressively increase so that they containprogressively increasing ramounts of contact material in the directionof ow of said reactants. In this connection, it will be noted that thethickness of all the contact masses is the same or substantially so. Animportant feature of various forms of the invention involves, then,substantially uniform thickness of a plurality of annular contact masseswhich, in the direction of flow ofthe reactants,

contain progressively increasing amounts of contact material for thereason stated above.

Although the invention has been illustrated `and described withrespectto converter ,ar-xV rangements comprising. four `contact masses, it

annular shall be understood A[that .the inventionris n ot 4to be thuslimited since any` suitable number of contact masses-may be utilizedzasdesired. Further, as'regards abroad aspectof Ythe-invention, thearrangement may besuch that arvaporizer comprisingua contact ymassformedfrom inert contact material, as-hereinbefore described, may beassociated with a single annular contact mass of of the characterdescribed above, thevapor prodi ucts from the vaporizor being subjectedto a heat-exchange operation as described herein and then passed intotheannular chamber c4 of said last named contact mass.

As hereinbefore described, the set of supporting parts for each contactmass M of Ffigs. 1 and `2 is vdetachably carried by a pluralityofsupports `3 and, for each Acontact Ymasslvl oi` Figs. 11, 12 and 1'5,brackets I5 are utilized in similar manner. VWith arrangements of thischaracter, should serious defects develop in one or more ofthe contactmasses or :associated parts, the .casing C may be opened in suitablemanner andthe Yde.- fective oontact'mass removed as a unit either forrepair or replacement as may be desirable.

Aftercontinued use of the apparatus of my invention for a long period,the catalytic contact material A forming the contact masses M may becomedeactivated to such extent that replacementthereof is desirable. If` so,as shown Vin Figs. l and i2, a workman may enter the chamber c2by vwayofthe manhole 2B to position and suitably support inclined pipes i4 sothat the upper inlet'ends thereof register with the respectivepassages'b of the lower plate whereas the lower outletends of said pipesM are disposed in communicating relation with the casing passage 2.Thereupon, after the respective members are moved horizontally to openthe` aforesaid passages 4b, the contact material formingthe lowercontact mass M gravitates downwardly through said passages-4b togetherwith the respective associated pipes lid and 'then` leaves the casing Cby way of the passage 2, said contact material being carried from thevicinity of the passage 2 by any suitable means, not shown. At thistime, a workman may enter the lower chamber c3 of casing C by way of thelower manhole 24 and, after removal of selected bolts 23 and "23h, anarcuate plate 22 of the lower set thereof may be detached from itsnormal position on the channel members It and i so that the workman lastnoted may enter the chamber for the lowei` contact mass and assist inremoving the contact material therefrom in the manner described above. l

While the contact material is thus being removed from the aforesaidchamber or while removal thereof is in progress and, after a proper pairof oppositely related arcuate plates 22 of the lower set thereof havebeen detached from their normal seated position on the channel membersi6 and Il, a workman within the lower chamber c3 may position andsuitably support vertical pipes 45 in alinement with the respectivepassages b of that plate 4 directly above the lower contact mass M, saidpipes extending through the respective openings which were exposed uponremoval of the arcuate members 22 last named. Thereupon, the respectivemembers 5 which are associated with the last noted passages 4b may bemoved horizontally to open said passages and thereby permit gravitatingmovement of contact material forming the contact mass underconsideration into. the chamber of. the :lowercontact 16 mass fandthence fromasaid chamber inthe manner described above'.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that, in response tooperations performed in the general manner described above, the contactmaterial A forming each upper `Contact mass M is permitted to gravitatefrom its enclosing chamber, thence through all of the contact masschambers disposed therebelow and thence from the casingC in the mannerdescribed.

After the operation has been completed by removal of all of the contactmaterial from the casing C, the plugs Ill for the respective housings13,;Figs. 8 Aand 19, may be detached in succession andreplacedby'nozzles which are secured to the respective ends of tubes leading toa source of air under-high pressure.` Thereupon, when a controlisexercised to render the air pressure effective at said nozzles,anyaccumulated dust or other material may be expelled from the chambersVcil in succession-and passed into the adjacent upperrchamber c3 to bedisposed of as desired.

When it becomes desirable to fill the contact mass chambers with contactmaterial, the inclined pipes 44 described above are removed from theposition thereof shown in Figs.- 1 and 2 and the lowermost set ofmembers 5 are moved horizontally to close the lower passages lib. Atthis time, however, the sets 0f pipes L15 remain in the respectiveposition thereof illustrated .in Fig. 1 and all of the `plate passages4b are open except'the lowermost set thereof. Thereupon, after removalof one or more of the upper set of arcuate plates 22, the fresh suppli7of contactrmaterial is passed into the casing C/by way of the manhole 25and thence suitably directed into the chamber which normally denes theupper contact mass M. This contact material gravitates through thechamber last named and thereafter arrives in the lower contact masschamber after gravitation thereof through kthe intermediate contact masschambers. Eventually, the lower contact mass chamber is filled withcontact material whereupon a workman in the lower chamber c3 removes thelower'set of pipes 45 and restores the associated parts to therespective positions thereof illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Thereupon,the operation continues in the general manner described above until allof the contact mass chambers 4have been 'It will vbe understood that aworkman should be in each chamber, while the iilling operationisinprogress, in order to properly distribute the contact material.

As regards the removing and lling operations described above, it shallbe understood that my invention is not to be limited to annular Contactmasses of the character hereinbefore described. As well, from a broaderaspect of this phase of the invention, the-contact masses may have anydesired configuration other than annular.

Obviously lmany modifications and variations of the invention ashereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit andscope thereof and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed asare indicated in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

l 1. rIn a hydrocarbon cracking process comprismg a cracking period anda regeneration period; during which cracking period hydrocarbons contactsuccessively a plurality of beds of static granular catalytic contactmaterial under endothermic cracking conditions and thereby concomitantlydeposit coke on each bed in anv amount such .that .subsequent combustionof said coke f under the regeneration conditions described here- I aitergenerates an amount of heat such that each of said beds'k contains, atthe close of the regeneration period, stored'heat considerably in excessA of the endothermic heat of cracking; during which regenerationV periodoxygen containing gas contacts each of said beds comprising said amountsof coke and effects combustion of the coke on each bed under conditionssuch that, at

the termination of the regeneration period,rall

' portions of each bed are at least at cracking temperatureand a portionof each bed intermediate to the locations at which gas enters' andleaves said bed is at a higher temperature than the i remainder of saidbed: the improvement which comprises passing said hydrocarbons through aVplurality of annular cracking zones, each cracking zonecontaining oneof said beds of static granular catalytic contact material, solely in aY direction normal to the axes of said cracking zones; removing aportion of the heat stored'in the catalytic contact materiali in eachbed as sensible heat in the hydrocarbon vaporsemerging therefrom,whereby the temperature of the eiuent hydrocarbon vapors from each ofsaid f. beds is higher than the temperature of the entering hydrocarbonvapors; passing hot'hydrocarbon vapors immediately after emergencev fromY an annular cracking: zone and prior to introduction to the nextsuccessive annular cracking zone through a central vapor-liquid mixingzone; in-

jecting into said central vapor-liquid mix-ing zone,

temperature of the hot hydrocarbon vapors entering said zone; vaporizingsubstantially all of said f hydrocarbon material by Contact with saidhot at one end thereof, liquid vaporizable hydrocarf bon material at atemperature lowerY than theY comitantly deposit coke on each bed`inanamount such that subsequent combustion of said coke under theregeneration conditions described hereafter generates an amount ofheatsuch that each of saidbeds contains, at the close of theregeneration period, stored heat considerably in excess of theendothermic heat of cracking; during which regeneration periodoxygencontaining gas contacts each of said beds comprising said amounts ofcoke and effects combustion of the j coke on each bed under conditionssuchthat, at thevtermination of the regeneration period,

all portions of each bed are at least at cracking Ytemperature and aportion of eachv bed intermediate to the locations atl which gas, entersand leaves said bed isat a higher temperature than the remainder ofsaidbed: the improvement .which comprises passing vsaid hydrocarbonsfrom an annular cracking zone and prior'to introduction to the nextsuccessive annular cracking zone through a central Vapor-liquid mixingzoneconcentrically and'con'tiguously located vvith respect to saidcracking zone and of substantially the same vertical extent as saidcracking zone;

v"injecting into said central vapor-liquid mixing hydrocarbon vapors andproducing a mixture of said hot hydrocarbon vapors and vvapor from saidhydrocarbon material, said -mixture having a substantially lowertemperature than that of entering said zone; vaporizingsubstantially allthe hot hydrocarbon vapors enteringfthe central mixing zone; andintroducing said mixture to the periphery of said next successivecracking zone.

2. The improvement of claim 1 characterizedY in that -each of saidannular cracking'zones has respectively the same horizontal crosssectional of hydrocarbon vapors pass through allunit cross sectionalareas of the cylindrical periphery of each respective annular crackingzone.

. 3. The improvementof claim 2 further charac- Y area through itsvertical extent and equal amounts terized in that the horizontal crosssectional areas zones progressively increases inthe generali directionlof flovv'of the hydrocarbon vapors.

' of all of said annular cracking zones are the same and the verticalheight of the various cracking 55 The improvement of claim lcharacterized in that said liquid hydrocarbon material is in-V l jectedinto said central mixingY zone in a'direction opposite tothe directionof flow'of said mixture of hot hydrocarbon vapors introduced to saidmixing zone and vapors of said liquid vaporizable hydrocarbon material.

5. The improvement of claim 4 further characterized in that said liquidhydrocarbon material is injected substantially at the top of saidcentral mixing zone. i Y

6. In a'hydrocarbonY cracking process comprisinga cracking period and 'aregeneration period;

during 'which cracking period hydrocarbons congranular catalytic contactmaterialunder endoa ythermic cracking conditions and-thereby contactsuccessively a plurality 'ofbeds of static zone, at one endrthereof,liquid vaporizable hydrocarbon material at a temperature lower than thetermoeraturev of the hot hydrocarbon ,vapors of said hydrocarbonmaterial by contact With said hot hydrocarbon vapors and producing amixture of said hot hydrocarbon vapors and vapor from said hydrocarbonmaterial, said mixture having a substantially lower temperature thanthat of the hot hydrocarbon vapors entering the central mixing zone;directing said mixture upwardly toward the next successive crackingzone;

and passing said mixture through substantially the entire outerperiphery of said next successive cracking zone. e e n 7. In apparatusfor contacting granular solid contact material With'gases, thecombination of a vertically cylindrical casing, ports in .the top and inthe bottom of said casing, a plurality of contact material retainingchambers spaced vertically apart along a common vaxis Withinsaid casing,each of said contact material retaining chambers having verticalconcentric cylindrical Walls and having an'outsde diameter'less thanthe, inside diameter of the casing so that a plu- A rality of annularvapor chambersare defined by f the inside boundary of the casing andVthe out- 1 side boundary of each of said contact material `retainingchambers, the inside Wall of each contact material retaining chamberforming the wall of a cylindrical vapor-liquid mixing chamber, the

inside and outside cylindrical Walls of each of said contact materialretaining chambers being perforate, closure means at the top and at thebottom of each of said contact material retaining chambers, closuremeans at one end of each of said annular vapor chambers, means forpreventing substantialow of Yvapors from each of said cylindricalvapor-liquid mixing chambers at the end of said chamber opposite to theend at which said closure means for said annular vapor chamber islocated and liquid injection means in at least one of said cylindricalvapor-liquid mixing chambers, said liquid injection means being locatedproximate to the end of said chamber opposite to the end at which saidmeans for preventing substantial flow of vapors is lcated.

8. In apparatus for contacting granular solid contact material withgases, the combination of a vertically cylindrical casing, ports in thetop and in the bottom of said casing, a plurality of contact materialretaining chambers spacedY vertically apart along a common axis withinsaid casing, each of said contact mass retaining chambers havingvertical concentric cylindrical walls and having an outside diameterless than the inside diameter of the casing so that a plurality ofannular vapor chambers are dened by the inside boundary of the casingand the vout-- side boundary of each of said contact material retainingchambers, the inside wall of each contact material retaining chamberforming the wall of a cylindrical vapor-liquid mixing chamber, theinside and outside cylindrical walls of each of said Contact materialretaining chambers being perforate, closure means at the top and at thebottom of each of said contact material retaining chambers, closuremeans at the tops of each of said annular vapor chambers, closure meansat the bottom of each of said cylindrical vaporliquid mixing chambersand liquid injection means in the next to the top and all lowercylindrical vapor chambers, said liquid injection.

means being located proximate to the top of the respective cylindricalvapor-liquid mixing chamber and concentrically with respect thereto.

9. In apparatus for contacting granular solid Contact material withgases, the combination of a vertically cylindrical casing, ports in thetop and in the bottom of said casing, a plurality of contact materialretaining chambers spaced vertically apart along a common axis withinsaid casing, each of said Contact material retaining chambers havingvertical concentric cylindrical walls and having an outside diameterless than the inside diameter of the casing so that a plurality ofannular Vapor chambers are dened by the inside boundary of the casingand the outside boundary of each of said contact material retainingchambers, the inside wall of each contact material retaining chamberforming the wall of a cylindrical vapor-liquid mixing chamber, theinside and outside cylindrical walls of each of said contact materialretaining chambers being perforate, closure means at the top and at thebottom of each of said contact material retaining chambers, closuremeans at the bottom of each of said annular vapor chambers, means at thetop of each of said cylindrical vapor-liquid mixing chambers forpreventing substantial flow contact material retaining chambers spacedapart vertically superposed relation within said casing, each oiV saidcontact material retaining hambers having vertical concentriccylindrical we and having an outside diameter less than the insidediameter of the casing so that a plurality of annular vapor chambers aredefined by the inside boundary of the casing and the outside boundary oieach of said contact material retaining chambers, the inside wall ofeach contact material retaining chamber forming the wall of acylindrical vapor-liquid mixing chamber, the inside and outsidecylindrical walls of each of said contact material retaining chambersbeing perforate, closure means for one end of each of said annular vaporchambers, means for preventing substantial flow of vapors from each ofsaid cylindrical vapor-liquid mixing chambers at the end of said chamberopposite to the end at which closure means for said annular vaporchamber is located, liquid injection means in vaporliquid mixingchambers, at least partially removable top closure means at the top ofeach of said contact material retaining chambers, at least partiallyremovable bottom closure means at the bottom of each of said Contactmaterial retaining chambers, at least one aperture in the top of eachcontact material retaining chamber covered by f uppermost being invertical alignment with said aperture in the bottom of the Contactmaterial reta ing chamber thereabove whereby charging dischargingcontact material to each of said contact material retaining chambers isfacilitated.

il. The apparatus of claim l0 characterized in that said at leastpartially removable top closure means comprises a plurality of arcuateplates removably mounted on pairs of horizontally curved channel-shapedmembers, which channel-shaped members are horizontally spaced apart andare aiiixed to the top of each contact mass retaining chamber, saidarcuateplates being contiguously mounted on said channel-shaped members.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 characterized in that `said at leastpartially removable bottom closure means comprises a horizontal platewith apertures therein, slidable covers for said apertures and tracksaffixed to said plate for sliding said covers into positions coveringand uncovering said apertures.

13. In a reactor for contacting granulansolid contact material withhydrocarbon vapors, Ythe combination of a vertically cylindrical casing,

, ports'in the top and bottom of said casing, a contact materialretaining chamber having vertical cylindrical walls and an outsidediameter less than the inside diameter of the casing so that an annularvapor chamber is dened by the inside boundary of the casing and theoutside boundary of said contact material retaining chamber, the insidewall of said material retaining chamber forming the wall of a centralcylindrical vaporliquid mixing chamber, the inside and outsidecylindrical walls of said contact material retaining chamber beingperforate, a flat, horizontally disposed, annularly shaped plate affixedto the bottom of the vertical walls of said contact material retainingchamber and to the wall of said casing, an upwardly directed liquidatomizing 2i l nozzleilocated concentrically in said central va'-por-liquid mixing chamber proximate to the bottom thereof, meanscommunicating with the outside of said casing for introducing liquidinto said nozzle, closure means for the top of said contact materialretaining chamber and said central vapor chamber comprising a dishshaped plate, said dish shaped plate being generally concave upwardlyand extending over at least the mixing chamber, and a short pipe locatedin the center of said dish shaped plate for drainage of liquidtherefrom.

members of the first set thereof, the tubular members forming the secondset thereof having reduced thickness compared with the thickness of therespective tubular members forming the first setthereof, each'tubularmember of the second set thereof comprising numerous small passageswhich are alined with the respective passages first v f members havingcross sectional area substantial- 14. In combination, a support, a rstset of concentrically related tubular members rising from said supportand defining a chamber for a Contact mass, each tubularmember,throughout substantially' the entire area thereof, comprisingnumerous small passages adapted to be traversed by vapors, and meansassociated with each. passage for decreasing the cross-sectional areathereof, said means comprising a second set of tubular members flushlyengaging the respective tubular ly less than that of ,each passage rstnamed.

' EUGENE JULES HoUDRY.

' References cited in the me of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,895,063 Zurcher Jan. 24, 1933 f `2,365,893 Matheret al. Dec.26, 1944 2,391,315 Hulsberg Dec. 18, 1945 2,433,255 AtWell Dec. 23, 19472,452,569 Houdry Nov. 2, 1948 2,475,822 Cummings July 12, 1949 1949Peters July 12,

1. IN A HYDROCARBON CRACKING PROCESS COMPRISING A CRACKING PERIOD AND AREGENERATION PERIOD; DURING WHICH CRACKING PERIOD HYDROCARBONS CONTACTSUCCESSIVELY A PLURALITY OF BEDS OF STTIC GRANULAR CATALYTIC CONTACTMATERIAL UNDER ENDOTHERMIC CRACKING CONDITIONS AND THEREBY CONCOMITANTLYDEPOSIT COKE ON EACH BED IN AN AMOUNT SUCH THAT SUBSEQUENT COMBUSTION OFSAID COKE UNDER THE REGENERATION CONDITIONS DESCRIBED HEREAFTERGENERATES AN AMOUNT OF HEAT SUCH THAT EACH OF SAID BEDS CONTAINS, AT THECLOSE OF THE REGENERATION PERIOD, STORED HEAT CONSIDERABLY IN EXCESS OFTHE ENDOTHERMIC HEAT OF CRACKING; DURING WHICH REGENERATION PERIODOXYGEN CONTAINING GAS CONTENTS EACH OF SAID BEDS COMPRISING SAID AMOUNTSOF COKE AND EFFECTS COMBUSTIONS OF THE COKE ON EACH BED UNDER CONDITIONSSUCH THAT, AT THE TERMINATION OF THE REGENERATION PERIOD, ALL PORTIONSOF EACH BED ARE AT LEAST AT CRACKING TEMPERATURE AND A PORTION OF EACHBED INTERMEDIATE TO THE LOCATIONS AT WHICH GAS ENTERS AND LEAVES SAIDBED IS AT A HIGHER TEMPERATURE THAN THE REMAINDER OF SAID BED: THEIMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES PASSING SAID HYDROCARBONS THROUGH APLURALITY OF ANNULAR CRACKING ZONES, EACH CRACKING ZONE CONTAINING ONEOF SAID BEDS OF STATIC GRANULAR CATALYTIC CONTACT MATERIAL, SOLELY IN ADIRECTION NORMAL TO THE AXES OF SAID CRACKING ZONES; REMOVING A PORTIONOF THE HEAT STORED IN THE CATALYTIC CONTACT MATERIAL IN EACH BED ASSENSIBLE HEAT IN THE HYDROCARBON VAPORS EMERGING THEREFROM, WHEREBY THETEMPERATURE OF THE EFFLUENT HYDROCARBON VAPORS FROM EACH OF SAID BEDS ISHIGHER THAN THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ENTERING HYDROCARBON VAPORS; PASSINGHOT HYDROCARBON VAPORS IMMEDIATELY AFTER EMERGENCE FROM AN ANNULARCRACKING ZONE AND PRIOR TO INTRODUCTION TO THE NEXT SUCCESSIVE ANNULARCRACKING ZONE THROUGH A CENTRAL VAPOR-LIQUID MIXING ZONE; INJECTING INTOSAID CENTRAL VAPOR-LIQUID MIXING ZONE, AT ONE END THEREOF, LIQUIDVAPORIZABLE HYDROCARBON MATERIAL AT A TEMPERATURE LOWER THAN THETEMPERATURE OF THE HOT HYDROCARBON VAPORS ENTERING SAID ZONE; VAPORIZINGSUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF SAID HYDROCARBON MATERIAL BY CONTACT WITH SAID HOTHYDROCARBON VAPORS AND PRODUCING A MIXTURE OF SAID HOT HYDROCARBONVAPORS AND VAPOR FROM SAID HYDROCARBON MATERIAL, SAID MIXTURE HAVING ASUBSTANTIALLY LOWER TEMPERATURE THAN THAT OF THE HOT HYDROCARBON VAPORSENTERING THE CENTRAL MIXING ZONE; AND INTRODUCING SAID MIXTURE TO THEPERIPHERY OF SAID NEXT SUCCESSIVE CRACKING ZONE.